Dr James Douglas Rochford

Personal Details

Dr James Douglas Rochford MRCS LRCP MB BS FFARCS DA

Known as: Jimmy

30/12/1914 to 14/07/1979

Place of birth: ?Alexandria, Egypt

Nationality: Egyptian and British

CRN:  723728

Education and qualifications

Professional life and career

Postgraduate career

Junior resident anaesthetist, St Bartholomew’s Hospital 1941.
Resident Anaesthetist (EMS) Friern Hospital and London Fever Hospital 1942.
Captain and then Major in RAMC in Middle East 1942-45.
On demobilisation he was Chief Anaesthetist at St Bartholomew’s Hospital until 1950.
Consultant Anaesthetist Barnet Hospital (formerly Wellhouse Hospital), and Clare Hall Chest Hospital, South Mimms (Hertfordshire) 1950-1979.

Professional interests and activities

Rochford was a member of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the International College of Anaesthetists. In 1954 he was a founder member of North London Group of Anaesthetists.

By 1958 he developed the Barnet ventilator. He planned and rebuilt the theatre recovery unit and intensive care unit close to theatres at Barnet Hospital. Also he advised in the establishment of an Intensive Therapy Unit in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Notably he was one of the first to use bronchial lavage in treatment of asthma. He contributed to several publications on these topics.

Particular interest in monitoring of patients in ICU and was recipient of a Papal award of a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory the Great for this work.

From 1974 onwards he was an Examiner for the DA.

According to his obituary, he was held in high regard as an enthusiastic teacher and innovator.

Other biographical information

Married Barbara Pitts in 1939 and had one son and five daughters – all of whom survived him.

Author and sources

Author:

Dr David J Wilkinson

 

Sources and comments:

[1] Anon (JAB) Obituary JD Rochford. British Medical Journal 1979; 2: 505-506.
[2] Medical Registers and Medical Directories.
[3] Ancestry.com